Keyword: cox plate

Nobody expected it to be this close, but Winx has completed her Ladbrokes Cox Plate (G1) three-peat and set a course record while doing so, while tying Black Caviar's Australian record of 15 group 1's.

Australia's newly minted Horse of the Year Winx heads to the W.S. Cox Plate (Aus-I) later this month after vanquishing just two opponents in the Caulfield Stakes (Aus-I) Oct. 8 for her 12th consecutive victory.

Australian supermare Winx added an 11th victory to her win streak after she flew from near the back of the field in the George Main Stakes (Aus-I) and scored by 1 1/4 lengths Sept. 17 at Royal Randwick.

Australians Kevin and Colleen Bamford and American David Bernsen have purchased a substantial interest of recent Hollywood Derby (gr. IT) winner Unbridled Command and plan to race in Australia's Cox Plate in October.

This year's WS Cox Plate (Aus-I) at Moonee Valley Oct. 27 proved as stunning as the equine influenza problem in Australia has been devastating. The Australian Weight For Age heavyweight championship, this year worth AUS$3 million, was taken out by the brilliant El Segundo (Pins-Palos Verdes), who was ridden a treat by Luke Nolen in a staggering 46.5 seconds.

It took a few dramatically unsuccessful attempts for connections to realize that Australia's former champion 3-year-old filly, Gold Edition, would be a senior superstar too, if simply allowed to run. She did that and won the Manikato Stakes Sept. 15.

The next start for 7-year-old campaigner Silver Tree is yet to be determined, but trainer Bill Mott said he will consider sending the son of Hennessy to Australia this fall to compete in the Oct. 27 Tattersalls Cox Plate (group I).